Kahoot and March for Others

Today we did a Kahoot quiz with Ms. Olson's class to review Bus safety.  Many students ride the bus to school and we all ride the bus on field trips.  It is important that we all know the safety rules.

Part of the quiz had questions about evacuating the bus.  It is important that we know what to do in emergency situations so that we stay safe.  Ask your child about some of the safety rules.

Thank you Ms. Olson and her students for a really fun activity!

This afternoon we had our March for Others Assembly.  In our classroom we collected 50 items to donate.  Each student will carry one or two items to add to our mass collection.  Ask your child about the final total!

Field Trip - Roseville City Hall

Today was our field trip to Roseville City Hall!  It was amazing and we learned a lot!  WE got to visit the Police station, Public Works, Fire station and City Council Chambers.  We even got to spend some time with the mayor, Dan Roe.

Here are some things that we learned:

- If there is a medical emergency, there is a special truck that is used to go and help.  O.

- The Public Works department fixes pipes and takes care of our roads.  H.

- Some police officers don't carry guns.  Y.

- The mayor has a real job and the job of being the mayor.  A.

- The Fire Fighters have to stay overnight when they are working.  A.

- Police Officers want to help us be safe.  D.

- Different jobs within the city use different tools.  R.

A detention cell~Yikes!

Snow Plow

Trying on the Fire Fighter clothing!

Morning Recess

Monday and Tuesday we had morning recess after we were done with the U of M research.  We went out for about 10 minutes and had the chance to use the playground as just our class.  It was fun to burn off some energy and play!  The weather was beautiful!

Research Helpers

For the past few days the entire Second grade has been helping the University of Minnesota with some research.  Each day the students work on a mini iPad to read a passage and answer questions.  They usually work for about 30 minutes.  It is part of their research about reading and reading comprehension in young students.  The students have worked hard each morning and enjoy feeling like they have a part in helping.

Penny

Today in library Ms. Z read us another book nominated for The Star of the North Picture book award.   It is Penny and her Marble by Kevin Henkes.  It is a beginner chapter book and is found in the reader section of the library along with other great books such as  Frog and Toad, Amelia Bedelia and Henry and Mudge.

This book had a really important moral or message.    Ask your child to retell the story and then ask about the message.  

Plants, Achievement Fair, Name Scramble and Good Citizens

Wow!  That is quite a title!  We have been busy working on many different things.

Monday, we planted a cherry tomato plant, basil, cilantro and dill.  We will be studying plants as a part of our science unit later this year.  Each student will get to grow a few plants.  We are excited to watch these grow right in our classroom!

Cherry Tomato

Seeds - enough to share

Today we went to see all of the Achievement Fair projects.  Many students throughout the school selected topics they wanted to know more about.  We saw things like beavers, bridges as well as experiments like which food does a rat like best?  A. in our class studied her family tree.  One of the things she learned that her first name was a last name of one of her relatives.

This afternoon we continued learning about money and dollar and cents notation.  We also practiced thinking about the names for pennies, dimes and nickels.  For example, 1 penny is also 1/100 of one dollar.

Last, we finished our Good Citizen books.  Students will be bringing these home to do acts that show being a good citizen.  

GaGa Ball

Mr. DePrez and Mrs. Brink work very hard to be sure that our students get physical exercise, learn how to play various games and do activities that build endurance and strength.  In addition, they are always looking for new games and activities for students.  This week, they introduced GaGa Ball.

Thursday in Phy. Ed. the students learned how to play.  Ask your child about the game.  We found out that some students were already familiar with it from camp or Friendship Connection.  

The GaGa Ball Pit

Ga -Ga -Ball!

Star of the North

We have been reading picture books that are nominated for the Star of the North Award throughout the year in library.  There are 10 books and we have read 8.  This award is chosen by students, so if a few weeks, we will have the opportunity to select our favorite.  Ask your child which book is his/her favorite so far and why.  There are some really good books!

Here are the books we have read so far:
Scraps
Blizzard
Ninja Red Riding Hood
Draw
The Day the Crayons Quit
It's an Orange Aardvark
Gaston

In library today we read Brave Girl.  Ask your child what it is about and what the message is.  

Soon we will read the last two,  Penny and her Marble and The Growing Table.

Learning about immigrants and life in the early 1900s.

Special Assembly

Today we had an assembly - singer George Dyer.  He is a very skilled singer and taught us about music, singing and how songs often have a theme.  He was very engaging and he involved students and teachers in his performance.  Ms. Plana was a good sport and helped out with one song.